About to install or activate some new Rockwell software?

Here are a few key things to know…

Importance of Serial Numbers & Product Keys

Serial Numbers & Product Keys are essential information needed to activate, Rehost, transfer, & reactivate your Rockwell Software. They are an integral part of your software and it is recommended to keep the information in a safe place. Both can be found in the red envelope within the media case of most Rockwell Software packages. They are also emailed to the owner of the software with the subject line ‘Rockwell Automation Software’

Rockwell’s ordering information for software has changed over the past year. You can now order an Electronic version or a Media version of each software package. The Electronic version is sent to the owner of the software via email and contains the Activation information as well as a link to download the software instantly. This can be available within 24 hours of purchasing the Rockwell software. The Media version of software includes both an electronic copy and physical media disk. The media disk includes the red envelope described earlier with the Activation Information enclosed.

USB Dongle

What is it?

A hardware device used for security or copy protection that must be connected to the computer while the program is running. Programs that use a dongle query the computer port at start-up and at programmed intervals, and terminate if the dongle does not respond with the expected validation code. FactoryTalk Activation supports a specific USB device that can be purchased from Rockwell Automation. When you use the dongle’s serial number as the binding ID it allows you to move the activation to & from multiple computers. The activation file must be copied to each computer that will use the activation dongle. Only the computer with the dongle attached can operate the software.

When should I consider using a Dongle for activation?

If there are multiple Engineering Workstations assigned to one user

For a security measure to ensure the Rockwell Software on a PC is only activated when needed

Ordering Information

Dongle Installation

Installing Activations

On the FactoryTalk Activation Manager Home page, click Get New Activations.

Enter the Serial Number and Product Key for each product you would like to activate.

Click Validate Activation.

In the Earliest Version cell for each product in the table, select the lowest version of the software for which the activation will apply.

To select the binding, click in the Binding cell and select the Dongle’s Serial number.

Click Download Activations

After the activations have been downloaded, the FactoryTalk Activation Download Complete window opens the downloaded activations

Using a USB Dongle on Multiple Computers

Copy the License file (extension .lic) located in the “Activations” folder on the root of the Dongle.

The License file must be saved to ALL PCs in the “C:/Program Files/Common Files/Rockwell/Activations” folder.

All computers using the Rockwell software activation must have version 3.5 of FactoryTalk Activation Manager or later.

Technical Support

Technical Support for Activations is free of charge from Rockwell Automation. Dial 440-646-3434, option 3 (Tech Support), direct dial code 010 to reach a Tech Support representative. Or you can also use the online chat with Rockwell by going to https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/and selecting the chat option (login may be required).

Helpful Links

David Florist is one of our Automation Specialists for Rumsey's Automation Systems Group (ASG) out of the Conshohocken branch. He has been with Rumsey for over 5 years. Straight out of college, David took on the role of Automation Inside Product Specialist being exposed to all the automation disciplines. Since his start, he has become very versed in almost every discipline of Automation and is the local expert on component level control systems. David is now an Automation Specialist still focusing on every discipline of automation and is a valued member of the ASG Rumsey team. What keeps David going is that he helps people every day, no matter how big or small. David received his degree in Robotics and Automation, Technology Management, and Marketing from Pennsylvania College of Technology.